The gov't annoys me

dace3699

This is not intended to be a debate, just a mini-vent.  Can't we just get the job done?  I'm just sick of hearing of all this deadline, run out of money talk.  That's all.

Soap1

The politicking is to be expected.  Congressmen have one job and one job only: to be reelected.  The Democrats and the Republicans each had to push their own bill to show their constituents that they're really looking out for their interests.  Now that that's out of the way, the real negotiations can get started. 

We're not going to default.  Worst case scenario, the Fed either lets the Treasury overdraft or the President decides to use the 14th amendment to ignore the debt ceiling all together (the latter is unlikely but certainly possible).

Soap1

kdodge423:

Soap1:

The politicking is to be expected.  Congressmen have one job and one job only: to be reelected.  The Democrats and the Republicans each had to push their own bill to show their constituents that they're really looking out for their interests.  Now that that's out of the way, the real negotiations can get started. 

We're not going to default.  Worst case scenario, the Fed either lets the Treasury overdraft or the President decides to use the 14th amendment to ignore the debt ceiling all together (the latter is unlikely but certainly possible).

Uh, no. That think right there is exactly the problem with the system. That is NOT their job. Pulling the bullshit they have already pulled multiple times this year is not going to get them re-elected either. Coming to down to deadlines without being able to make any headway = massive drama queens that have no business being in charge. They are either headstrong assfvcks looking out only for themselves or want to use the "look! I helped prevent use from a gov't shutdown and defaulting! I'm awesome- elect me!" stance on their next campaign.

The real negotiations should have started immediately since a country with a healthy financial situation is best for all of their constituents.

I will have a hard time voting for any incumbent after the crap that has been pulled this year. And I know I'm not alone in that.

 

Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that's a good thing.  I'm just saying realistically, even if we want to assume that Congressmen want to accomplish "good policy", they have to get reelected if they want to do that.  The rules in Congress and the Senate are set up to favor seniority.  And it's extremely unlikely that Congressmen will ever amend the Constitution to impose term limits on themselves (that would be silly!)

violaplayer

It amazes me just how partisan this country has become. We don't seem to have much of a sense of a national identity or goals. We can't agree on much of anything. Heck, look at some of the debates here on the bump - absolutely vociferous disagreements sometimes. We've even had people stand by what they said/what they do when evidence that it's not best for their child is presented. You can't expect politicians to do what is best for the country when some can't even do what is best for their children. It's a small reflection of society at large.

 

The sad part is the debt ceiling is the least of our problems. Keep in mind that the national debt projections don't include Social Security payouts. And we have a much smaller ratio of workers to retirees then we used to. If you looked at SS payments the same as bond holders (US government creditors), the debt would be frightening.